Firearm with dual charging handles

ABSTRACT

A firearm with dual charging handles is a rifle having a frame defining an elongated bolt passage, a bolt assembly received within the bolt passage and operable to reciprocate between a forward battery position and a rearward retracted position, a first elongated charging handle having a rear end extending rearward of the rear aperture of the frame, an intermediate portion received in the aperture, and a forward end within the bolt passage and adapted to operably contact the bolt, the frame defining an elongated slot parallel to the bolt passage and communicating therewith, and a second charging handle having a handle portion external of the bolt passage, an intermediate portion extending through the slot, and a contact element adapted to operably contact the bolt. The first charging handle may have a T shape. The second charging handle may include a dust cover overlaying the slot.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to firearms, and more particularly to a firearm having both top-mounted and side-mounted charging handles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The charging handle is a device on a firearm which, when operated, results in the hammer or striker being cocked or moved to the ready position. It allows the operator to pull the bolt to the rear, facilitating any number of the following:

Ejecting a spent shell casing or unfired cartridge from the chamber.

Loading a round from the magazine or by hand through the chamber.

Clearing a stoppage such as a jam, double feed, stovepipe, or misfire.

Verifying the weapon's chamber is clear of any rounds or other obstructions.

Moving the bolt into battery, acting as a forward assist but not necessarily.

Releasing a bolt locked to the rear, such as would be the case after firing the last round on a firearm equipped with a last-round-hold-open feature.

These devices vary significantly between firearms, but may occur in the form of a small protrusion or hook from the side of the bolt, a pumped slide, or a lever.

There are also additional factors concerning the design of charging handles, and some of them are especially important if the weapon is for tactical use. One issue is the mean time between failures due to metal fatigue. Just like other parts, charging handles sometimes break when weapons are heavily used. Another issue is whether the charging handle is sufficiently large for use by someone wearing heavy gloves and protective clothing.

Another important consideration is the location of the charging handle. Top-mounted T-shaped charging handles are standard features of M-16 and AR 15 rifles, and have the advantage of being readily operable with either hand. However, a top-mounted charging handle is difficult to operate when actively using optics. It is also possible to experience uncomfortable contact with a scope or sights while operating a top-mounted charging handle.

As a result, side charging handles have been developed so that the firearm can be charged while the shooter maintains a cheek weld and his or her sight picture. An example of a firearm employing a side charging handle is the JP LRP-07™ Long Range Precision Rifle (LRPR) manufactured by JP Enterprises, Inc. of Hugo, Minn. A side-mounted charging handle mounted on a firearm on the shooter's dominant side also provides more leverage than does the traditional top-mounted T-shaped charging handle. However, the shooter is not necessarily disadvantaged if the charging handle is mounted on the shooter's weaker side as it allows the shooter to keep his or her strong hand on the pistol grip in a shooting position. It also makes it easier for the shooter to keep his or her eyes on the sights. The downside is the shooter has to give up his or her hold on the forearm of the rifle to charge. However, this is not an issue when shooting off a rest or bipod.

Each type of charging handle has its advantages and disadvantages. Not only do these vary depending on the user, but they vary depending on the use, even for a given user.

Therefore, a need exists for a new and improved firearm with dual charging handles that retains the traditional T-shaped top charging handle while adding a redundant side charging handle. In this regard, the various embodiments of the present invention substantially fulfill at least some of these needs. In this respect, the firearm with dual charging handles according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of retaining the traditional T-shaped top charging handle while adding a redundant side charging handle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an improved firearm with dual charging handles, and overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and drawbacks of the prior art. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide an improved firearm with dual charging handles that has all the advantages of the prior art mentioned above.

To attain this, the preferred embodiment of the present invention essentially comprises a rifle having a frame defining an elongated bolt and bolt carrier passage, a bolt and bolt carrier assembly received within the bolt and bolt carrier passage and operable to reciprocate between a forward battery position and a rearward retracted position, a first elongated charging handle having a rear end extending rearward of the rear aperture of the frame, an intermediate portion received in the aperture, and a forward end within the bolt passage and adapted to operably contact the bolt carrier, the frame defining an elongated slot parallel to the bolt passage and communicating therewith, and a second charging handle having a handle portion external of the bolt passage, an intermediate portion extending through the slot, and a contact element adapted to operably contact the bolt carrier. The first charging handle may have a T shape. The second charging handle may include a dust cover overlaying the slot. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims attached.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a right side view of the current embodiment of the firearm with dual charging handles constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the current embodiment of the upper receiver assembly of FIG. 1 removed from the firearm.

FIG. 3A is a right side view of the current embodiment of the upper receiver assembly of FIG. 1 removed from the firearm with the top charging handle in the rest position.

FIG. 3B is a right side sectional view of the current embodiment of the upper receiver assembly of FIG. 1 removed from the firearm with the top charging handle in the rest position.

FIG. 3C is a right side sectional view of the current embodiment of the upper receiver assembly of FIG. 1 removed from the firearm with the top charging handle in the cocked position.

FIG. 4A is a top view of the current embodiment of the upper receiver assembly of FIG. 1 removed from the firearm.

FIG. 4B is a top sectional view of the current embodiment of the upper receiver assembly of FIG. 1 removed from the firearm.

FIG. 4C is a rear perspective view of the current embodiment of the upper receiver assembly of FIG. 1 removed from the firearm.

FIG. 5A is a rear perspective view of the current embodiment of the top charging handle assembly, side charge handle assembly, and bolt carrier removed from the upper receiver.

FIG. 5B is a front perspective view of the current embodiment of the top charging handle assembly, side charge handle assembly, and bolt carrier removed from the upper receiver.

FIG. 6A is a bottom perspective view of the current embodiment of the side charge handle assembly removed from the upper receiver.

FIG. 6B is a rear perspective view of the current embodiment of the side charge handle assembly of FIG. 6A with the handle removed.

FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of the current embodiment of the upper receiver of FIG. 1 removed from the firearm.

The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the various figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE CURRENT EMBODIMENT

An embodiment of the firearm with dual charging handles of the present invention is shown and generally designated by the reference numeral 200.

FIG. 1 illustrates the improved firearm with dual charging handles 200 of the present invention. More particularly, the firearm is a rifle having an upper receiver assembly 10 with a stock 202 extending rearward from the rear 224 of the lower receiver 226. A trigger 214 and a magazine 216 extend downwardly from the lower receiver's bottom 222.

The muzzle 244 end of a barrel 140 extends forwardly from the front 14 of the upper receiver 12. The barrel has a central bore 142. A hand guard 212 removably encircles the barrel with the hand guard's rear 220 abutting the front of the barrel nut 218, and the barrel nut abuts the front 14 of the upper receiver.

FIGS. 2-4C illustrate the improved upper receiver assembly 10 of the present invention. More particularly, the upper receiver assembly has been removed from the firearm 200. The upper receiver assembly consists of an upper receiver 12, a top charging handle assembly 64, a bolt carrier 38, a bolt 84, and a side charging handle assembly 86. The upper receiver has a top 80, bottom 24, left side 20, right side 18, front 14, and rear 16. The top of the upper receiver forms a picatinny rail 28 and receives the top charging handle assembly. The front of the upper receiver forms barrel nut threads 26. The bottom of the upper receiver has front and rear mounting lugs 32, 34. The right side of the upper receiver defines an ejection port 30. The left side of the upper receiver defines a rail or dovetail 88 that receives the slider 98 of the side charging handle assembly and a slot 94 that receives the lug 96 of the side charging handle assembly. The rear and front of the upper receiver define a central bore 36 that is an elongated bolt passage that receives the bolt carrier.

The upper receiver 12 carries a reciprocating bolt carrier 38 that is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The bolt carrier 38 has a front 42, rear 40, top 48, bottom 62, a left side 126, right side 128, and defines a central bore 60. The bolt carrier supports and positions a bolt 84, thereby forming a bolt assembly. The locked position is the position in which the bolt carrier has positioned the bolt for firing. The unlocked position is any position other than the locked position, which includes the position where the bolt carrier has retracted the bolt from the chamber (not shown) to permit ejection of a casing and insertion of a cartridge from the magazine 216.

A carrier key body 50 is coupled to the top 48 of the bolt carrier 38 by bolts 58 in the rear 54 of the carrier key body. The carrier key body is acted upon by pressurized gas to move the bolt carrier between the locked and the unlocked positions. The rifle is ready for firing when the bolt carrier is in the locked position with a cartridge chambered. When the rifle is fired by pulling the trigger 114, gas from the detonated round escapes from the barrel bore 142 into a gas conduit (not shown). Gas is transmitted to the carrier key body 50 via the gas conduit, which is positioned above and extends parallel to the barrel and terminates in an engagement with a gas tube 82 in the front of the upper receiver. A gas hole 74 in the front 70 of the top charge handle assembly 64 permits gas to pass from the gas tube into a gas channel 56 in the front 52 of the carrier key body.

FIGS. 3A-C illustrate the structure and function of the top charging handle assembly 64. The top charging handle assembly has a T-shaped handle 66 at the rear 72, an elongate shaft 68, and a hook protrusion 92 at the front 70. The bottom 76 of the shaft defines a slot 78, and the front of the shaft defines a gas hole 74. The hook protrusion engages a step 90 in the top 48 of the bolt carrier 38. When the top charging handle assembly is pulled rearward as shown in FIG. 3C, the hook protrusion pulls the bolt carrier rearward as well. However, the side charging handle assembly 86 is not affected, which is indicated by the forward position of the lug 96. The top charging handle assembly and the side charging handle assembly are both independently capable of pulling the bolt carrier rearward without being acted upon by the bolt carrier itself because the charging handle assemblies are not actually attached to the bolt carrier.

FIGS. 4A-7 illustrate the structure and function of the side charging handle assembly 86. More particularly, the side charging handle assembly is slidably and removably mounted on the dovetail 88 on the left side 20 of the upper receiver 12. The dovetail is a flanged channel type dovetail that is T-shaped when viewed on end. As is shown in FIG. 7, the dovetail has takedown notches 134 located towards the rear 16 of the upper receiver and hook notches 136 located near the front 14 of the upper receiver. The rearmost portion of the dovetail does not have a flange.

The side charging handle assembly 86 is slidably and removably mounted on the dovetail 88. The side charging handle assembly has a slider 98, pivot pin 110, and handle 100. The slider has a front 102, rear 104, top 106, and bottom 108. The bottom of the slider defines two short front lips 122, two takedown notches 130, and two elongate rear lips 124. The front lips and rear lips undercut the dovetail and define a channel 44 between them having a C-shaped cross-section that receives the dovetail. The lug 96 protrudes from the bottom of the slider between the takedown notches 130. The top receives two roll pins 120 that attach the lug to the slider. Two hook holes 128 are located immediately behind the roll pins. The slider is otherwise solid so that the slider can serve as a dust cap for the slot 94 in the dovetail 88. The top forms two ears 114, each having a central aperture 132, that receives the pivot pin 110.

The handle 100 is pivotally anchored to the top of the slider by the pivot pin 110. The handle folds downward to cover the front of the slider when the handle is not in use. The bottom of the handle forms two hooks 126. When the handle is not in use, the hooks extend through the hook holes 128 in the top 106 of the slider 98 and are received by the hook notches 136 in the dovetail 88 with a sloped, undercut engagement (shown in FIG. 4B). This engagement prevents the side charging handle assembly 86 from sliding rearward because of inertia when the rifle 200 recoils. The handle is in shared so its center of mass 112 is aligned with the center of the pivot pin. The handle is therefore not biased to flop outward or inward in response to axial recoil forces.

To use the side charging handle assembly 86 to cock the rifle 200, the handle 100 is pivoted in a counterclockwise direction 90° and then pulled rearward to slide the slider 98 rearward on the dovetail 88. Because the protruding portion of the lug is received by a notch 118 in the front 42 of the bolt carrier 38 and engages a ledge 116 on the left side 126 of the bolt carrier, the lug pulls the bolt carrier rearward as well. However, as was mentioned previously, the top charging handle assembly 64 is unaffected by the motion of the bolt carrier. Furthermore, because the front of the notch 118 is open, the bolt carrier can move rearward without affecting the side charging handle assembly 86.

To remove the side charging handle assembly 86 from the rifle 200, the bolt carrier 38 and bolt 84 must first be removed. This enables the side charging handle assembly to be moved further rearward than normal. When the front lips 122 are aligned with the takedown notches 134 in the dovetail 88, the takedown notches 130 in the slider 98 disengage the slider from the rearmost flanged portion of the dovetail. At the same time, the rearmost portion of the dovetail lacking a flange disengages the rear lips 124 from the dovetail. As a result, the side charging handle assembly can be lifted off the dovetail and completely disconnected from the rifle. This procedure is reversed to attach the side charging handle assembly to the rifle.

In the context of the specification, the terms “rear” and “rearward,” and “front” and “forward” have the following definitions: “rear” or “rearward” means in the direction away from the muzzle of the firearm while “front” or “forward” means it is in the direction towards the muzzle of the firearm.

While a current embodiment of a firearm with dual charging handles has been described in detail, it should be apparent that modifications and variations thereto are possible, all of which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 

I claim:
 1. A rifle comprising: a frame defining an elongated bolt passage; a bolt assembly including a bolt received within the bolt passage and operable to reciprocate between a forward battery position and a rearward retracted position; the frame having a rear portion defining a rear aperture; a first elongated charging handle having a rear end extending rearward of the rear aperture of the frame, an intermediate portion received in the aperture, and a forward end within the bolt passage and adapted to operably contact the bolt; the frame defining an elongated slot parallel to the bolt passage and communicating therewith; and a second charging handle having a handle portion external of the bolt passage, an intermediate portion extending through the slot, and a contact element adapted to operably contact the bolt.
 2. The rifle of claim 1 wherein the first charging handle has a T shape.
 3. The rifle of claim 1 wherein the second charging handle includes a dust cover overlaying the slot.
 4. The rifle of claim 1 wherein the second charging handle includes a folding handle.
 5. The rifle of claim 1 wherein the frame includes an elongated rail coextensive with the slot, and the second charging handle defines a channel slidably receiving the rail, such that the movement of the second charging handle is constrained by the rail.
 6. The rifle of claim 1 wherein the slot is defined in a lateral side of the frame.
 7. The rifle of claim 1 wherein the bolt has a first forward facing surface adapted to be engaged by the first charging handle, and a second forward facing surface separate from the first forward facing surface adapted to be engaged by the second charging handle.
 8. The rifle of claim 7 wherein the first forward facing surface is on an upper portion of the bolt assembly.
 9. The rifle of claim 7 wherein the second forward facing surface is on a lateral portion of the bolt assembly.
 10. The rifle of claim 7 wherein the first and second forward facing surfaces are on a forward portion of the bolt assembly.
 11. A rifle comprising: a frame defining an elongated bolt passage; a bolt assembly including a bolt received within the bolt passage and operable to reciprocate between a forward battery position and a rearward retracted position; a first charging handle having a first handle portion external of the bolt passage and a first contact portion within the bolt passage and adapted to operably contact the bolt; a second charging handle having a second handle portion external of the bolt passage and a second contact portion within the bolt passage and adapted to operably contact the bolt; and the bolt having a first forward facing portion registered with the first contact portion, and having a second forward facing portion registered with the second contact portion, such that the first and second charging handles remain stationary in response to movement of the bolt to the retracted position.
 12. The rifle of claim 11 wherein the first charging handle has a T shape.
 13. The rifle of claim 11 wherein the frame defines an elongated slot receiving a portion of the second charging handle, and wherein the second charging handle includes a dust cover overlaying the slot.
 14. The rifle of claim 13 wherein the frame includes an elongated rail coextensive with the slot, and the second charging handle defines a channel slidably receiving the rail, such that the movement of the second charging handle is constrained by the rail.
 15. The rifle of claim 13 wherein the slot is defined in a lateral side of the frame.
 16. The rifle of claim 11 wherein the second charging handle includes a folding handle.
 17. The rifle of claim 11 wherein the bolt has a first forward facing surface adapted to be engaged by the first charging handle, and a second forward facing separate from the first forward facing surface adapted to be engaged by the second charging handle.
 18. The rifle of claim 17 wherein the first forward facing surface is on an upper portion of the bolt assembly.
 19. The rifle of claim 17 wherein the second forward facing surface is on a lateral portion of the bolt assembly
 20. The rifle of claim 17 wherein the first and second forward facing surfaces are on a forward portion of the bolt assembly. 